Journal Article

Mitochondrial dysfunction is associated with the severity of liver fibrosis in patients after the Fontan operation

Sethasathien, Saviga, Silvilairat, Suchaya, Inmutto, Nakarin, Suksai, Supanai, Chattipakorn, Nipon, Kongkarnka, Sarawut, Makonkawkeyoon, Krit, Leemasawat, Krit, Sittiwangkul, Rekwan, Apaijai, Nattayaporn, Chattipakorn, Siriporn C., Leerapun, Apinya

2024

Overview

The gold standard for determining the severity of liver disease in Fontan patients is now liver biopsy. Since it is an invasive procedure, this study determined the possibility of applying mitochondrial function from isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) as a non‐invasive indicator of liver fibrosis. Fontan patients (n = 37) without known liver disease were analysed cross‐sectionally. Patients were classified according to their histology using the METAVIR score as follows; F0/F1—no/mild fibrosis; F2—moderate fibrosis; and F3/F4—cirrhosis. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were assessed for mitochondrial activity and apoptosis. This study did not find any significant differences in cardiac function among the groups according to liver histology. Interestingly, our findings indicated a significant decrease in maximal respiration and spare respiratory capacity, in both the moderate (F2) and cirrhosis (F3/F4) groups compared with the group without significant fibrosis (F0/F1). Moreover, the cirrhosis group exhibited higher levels of apoptosis and lower levels of live cells, compared with both the moderate and no significant fibrosis groups. In conclusion, the degree of liver fibrosis in Fontan patients is strongly correlated with mitochondrial dysfunction in PBMCs. Mitochondrial function and apoptosis could potentially serve as novel markers for tracking the progression of liver fibrosis in these patients.

• Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, Inc,John Wiley and Sons Inc
• Subject: Abdomen / Adenosine triphosphate / Apoptosis / Biomarkers / Biopsy / Blood platelets / Blood tests / Cardiac catheterization / Cell death / Cirrhosis / Fibrosis / Flow cytometry / Fontan operation / Fontan Procedure - adverse effects / Heart failure / Humans / Hypertension / Intubation / Leukocytes (mononuclear) / Leukocytes, Mononuclear - pathology / Liver - pathology / liver biopsy / Liver cancer / Liver cirrhosis / Liver Cirrhosis - pathology / Liver diseases / Liver Diseases - pathology / liver fibrosis / Mitochondria / Mitochondrial Diseases - pathology / mitochondrial function / Original / Oxidative stress / Peripheral blood mononuclear cells / Physiology / Pulmonary arteries / Respiration / Severity of Illness Index / Tomography / Ultrasonic imaging